But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

Very few moments are as special as the birth of a child. When a newborn enters
the world, he or she comes with so much hope and promise. Yet, for any of that
hope and promise to be achieved, the newborn must first grow. While newborns
and infants are special, they too must grow up to become toddlers, children,
teenagers, and finally adults.

The same is true in spiritual terms. It is special and wonderful when anyone
obeys the Gospel and calls upon the name of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
(Acts 22:16, Romans 6:1-11). At that point the believer is as a spiritual infant,
and needs to grow in order to achieve their hope and promise in Jesus Christ,
as it is written:

As newborn babes, long
for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby
unto salvation (1 Peter 2:2).

As with physical newborns, so with spiritual newborns: milk must be the first
food. Spiritual milk represents the basic truths of God’s Word: understanding
the plan of salvation, what Christians must do and must not do, more about who
Jesus was and His Lordship, and regarding the church that is His body (Hebrews
6:1-4, Galatians 5:17-24, Romans 6:1-23, Ephesians 5:22-33). A Christian without
a basic understanding of God’s message to mankind is like a baby without
milk: failing to thrive and in danger of death!

While it is very important to learn about God and His will for mankind in the
Bible, it is just as important to begin practicing what God teaches. The only
way Christians can grow is through “constant practice” of distinguishing
good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). We know that in physical matters, humans learn
either in a school environment or in a “real life” environment:
one either devotes himself to study, and then later uses that knowledge in his
labor, or one learns by practicing the labor. While there are opportunities
for Christians to learn through study and devotion to the Scriptures, Christians
must also experience “on the job training”: learning by doing what
is right and avoiding what is wrong (Galatians 5:17-24). One cannot truly learn
of Jesus by just sitting and reading a book: one must also “walk as He
walked” (1 John 2:6).

Another aspect of growth is learning to present the Gospel to others in both
word and deed. It was not a long time between Paul was converted and when he
began to teach of Jesus in the synagogues (Acts 9:20-22); it also did not take
long for Apollos to preach Jesus as the Christ (Acts 18:26-28). As with all
things in life, you are likely to make mistakes in the beginning. Yet by trying
we can learn from our mistakes and be that much more effective the next time.
If we are not ashamed of the Gospel, then we must not be ashamed to begin preaching
it (Romans 1:16)!

Just as newborns are born into families, and normally have a support system
of parents, grandparents, among others, so newborn Christians ought to have
a spiritual family that will help them grow in their walk with God. That spiritual
family is the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-28). Many times people have bad feelings
toward churches because of unfortunate events or attitudes that might have existed.
Yet the Bible makes it clear that the church is important to God: it is the
Body of Christ, and represents all those who are being saved (Colossians 1:18,
Ephesians 5:22-33). Those who are not in the church are not saved!

Part of God’s wisdom regarding the church involves the local congregation.
God specified that His people should come together to encourage one another
constantly (Hebrews 10:24-25). Such a group was to be shepherded by elders who
meet certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-8, 1 Peter 5:1-4), and served by
deacons (1 Timothy 3:9-12). By coming together and encouraging one another,
Christians can rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn
(cf. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28).

Learning of God’s Word, putting it into practice, preaching the Gospel,
and being part of Christ’s church help a newborn Christian grow to maturity
in their faith. Can we encourage you toward spiritual growth?